HAROLD ‘Dickie’ Bird’s judgement as an umpire was flawless. However, on another issue, his acumen was once questioned.

He commissioned Graham Ibbeson to make a life-size sculpture of him dismissing a batter.

The bronze figure’s right arm is extended forward and his first finger is pointing skywards.

For non-cricket fans that’s the umpire’s sign that the batter is out, dismissed, finished.

But Graham felt slightly uncomfortable, especially after trusted friends gave their verdicts:

“Have you twisted Dickie’s hand a fraction too far so that he appears to be gesturing that folk should ‘clear off’?” said one polite appraiser.

But when this was pointed out to Dickie, he was adamant that the position of the hand should remain exactly as it is.

Personally, I love the hand-gesture. When driving past St Mary’s Church towards Darton, I always break out into a broad grin when I see Dickie Bird glaring down, sending me on my way out of Barnsley with his one-fingered salute.

Whether it was deliberately meant to appear cheeky or not, it will always strike me as impudent, hilarious and symbolic of our no-nonsense attitude.

And the actual positioning of the memorial also turns out to be an act of genius. Dickie chose the site because it stands exactly where his own house once stood and so, as you drive on the A637 out of town, you can’t ignore it.

Fast forward to 2018 and the Kes team is in discussions with Graham about the Barry Hines Memorial Sculpture.

I ask: “Should we be brave, and base the statue on Billy Casper sticking up the twos to the rest of his hostile world? That was the iconic photograph that was emblazoned on the side of Yorkshire Traction buses in 1970. It grabbed attention then, because the image was shocking, and it will grab attention today.”

“No it won’t. It’s a public statue, Ronnie, and most councillors’ll not wear it,” says Graham.

Milly opines: “We might even struggle to get a decent site for a non controversial statue, never mind one displaying the v-sign.

Janet and Jan shake their heads because they also think it’s much too risqué.

Finally, Graham says: “You don’t spend tens of thousands on something that will never be allowed to see the light of day.”

So, that’s why, today, we have Billy and his beautiful kestrel outside the Alhambra, and we’ll always be immensely proud of it.

Then, in August this year, on the eve of my book launch, the Kes Group are invited to Graham’s studio for ‘a big surprise’. As he nervously unveils his brand new 2025 sculpture, we gasp out loud. I look up to the heavens, “Oh, thank you! Thank you, God!” I cry (half-jesting). “It’s Billy Two-Fingers!”

Graham asks: “Would you be prepared to show photos of this at Parkway, Ronnie, after promoting your Ken Loach book?”

“Be an honour!”

So, on the Big Day I carefully talk the audience through the details of the new sculpture and then say:-

“I’m a historian but as with the legends of Robin Hood and King Arthur, no one is 100 per cent certain about the origins of the two-fingered salute.

“Folklore tells us that at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French soldiers cut off the first and second fingers of captured English archers, so they could never again launch their arrows. Therefore, as an act of defiance, the unmutilated English bowmen would taunt the enemy by showing the v-sign.

“This wonderful sculpture is, therefore, the embodiment of something we in our town are noted for: defiance in the face of hardship – with a smidgeon of in-built humour.

“The following words of the poet could have been spoken by Billy Casper and written by a Tyke: “You may shoot me with your words / You may cut me with your eyes/ You may kill me with your hatefulness/ But like the air I’ll rise.”

I conclude my Parkway speech by saying: “Today, Graham is considering a title for his new sculpture and is open to suggestions.”

The audience responded with enthusiastic applause!

I would love to know your views. Does the sculpture suggest we’ll never let others grind us down; or, does it imply we’re all as common as muck? And what title would you give it? Contact us via Facebook/Messenger or Graham’s website.